List of people from Washington (state)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

State flag of Washington
Location of Washington in the United States

The following is a list of notable people from Washington state. It includes people who were born, raised, or who live(d) in the U.S. state of Washington, along with those who are strongly associated/have significant relations with the state.

A[]

  • Nathan Adrian (born 1988) (Bremerton), competitive swimmer, five-time Olympic gold medalist[1]
  • Sandy Alderson (born 1947) (Seattle), baseball general manager, New York Mets
  • Sherman Alexie (born 1966) (Wellpinit), writer, poet, and filmmaker
  • Laura Allen (born 1974) (Bainbridge Island), actress, The 4400, Dirt, Awake
  • Paul Allen (1953–2018) (Seattle), entrepreneur and philanthropist; co-founder, Microsoft
  • Rick Anderson (born 1956) (Everett), baseball pitching coach,
  • Earl Anthony (1938–2001) (Tacoma), professional bowler
  • Brad Arnsberg (born 1963) (Seattle), baseball pitching coach, Houston Astros
  • Colleen Atwood (born 1948) (Quincy), Academy Award-winning costume designer
  • Earl Averill (1902–1983) (Snohomish), Major League Baseball outfielder in National Baseball Hall of Fame
  • John Aylward (born 1946) (Seattle), actor; ER, The Others, Armageddon

B[]

Bob Barker
Linda B. Buck
  • Red Badgro (1902–1998) (Kent), National Football League end; member, Pro Football Hall of Fame
  • Chris Ballew (born 1965) (Seattle), singer, alternative-rock band The Presidents of the United States of America
  • Zach Banner (born 1993) (Tacoma), NFL football offensive tackle for the Pittsburgh Steelers
  • Bob Barker (born 1923) (Darrington), game show host, The Price Is Right
  • Tony Barnette (born 1983) (Federal Way), relief pitcher for the Texas Rangers
  • Glenn Beck (born 1964) (Mount Vernon), conservative talk radio and television host
  • Welton Becket (1902–1969) (Seattle), architect
  • Caprice Benedetti (born 1966) (Seattle), actress
  • Bruce Bennett (1906–2007) (Tacoma), athlete and actor
  • Barbara Berjer (1920–2002) (Seattle), soap opera actress
  • Steven "Jesse" Bernstein (1950–1991) (Seattle), poet, author, and essayist
  • Jeff Bezos (born 1964) (Seattle), founder and CEO of Amazon
  • Greg Biffle (born 1969) (Vancouver), NASCAR driver
  • Josie Bissett (born 1970) (Seattle), actress
  • Angie Bjorklund (born 1989) (Spokane), basketball player, Chicago Sky
  • Tori Black (born 1988) (Seattle), adult model and pornographic actress
  • Frances Blakemore (1906-1997), artist and author
  • Sheila Bleck (born 1974) (Vancouver), IFBB professional bodybuilder
  • Drew Bledsoe (born 1972) (Ellensburg), football quarterback, New England Patriots and Dallas Cowboys
  • Mary L. Boas (1917–2010) (Seattle), mathematician and physics professor, and writer; author, Mathematical Methods in the Physical Sciences
  • Ralph P. Boas, Jr. (1912–1992) (Walla Walla), mathematician, teacher, and journal editor
  • Jeremy Bonderman (born 1982) (Kennewick), baseball pitcher, Cleveland Indians
  • Bill Bowerman (1911–1999) (Seattle), track coach, University of Oregon; co-founder, Nike
  • Gregory "Pappy" Boyington (1912–1988) (Tacoma), Major, Marine Corps aviator, Flying Ace, Medal of Honor recipient, Navy Cross recipient
  • Avery Bradley (born 1990) (Tacoma), shooting guard for Detroit Pistons
  • Bryan Braman (born 1987) (Spokane), linebacker, Philadelphia Eagles
  • Jesse Brand (born 1976) (Ferndale), singer-songwriter
  • Michael Brantley (born 1987) (Bellevue), outfielder for Houston Astros
  • Karan Brar (born 1999) (Redmond), actor
  • Walter Houser Brattain (1902–1987) (Tonasket), Nobel Prize-winning physicist who co-invented the transistor
  • Richard Brautigan (1935–1984) (Tacoma), novelist, poet, and short story writer
  • Isaac Brock (born 1975) (Issaquah), singer, indie rock band Modest Mouse
  • Jon Brockman (born 1987) (Snohomish), power forward for Milwaukee Bucks
  • Gail Brodsky (born 1991), tennis player
  • Arthur C. Brooks (born 1964) (Spokane), social scientist, economist, president of American Enterprise Institute
  • Daniel Bryan (born Bryan Danielson, 1981) (Aberdeen), professional wrestler
  • Linda B. Buck (born 1947) (Seattle), scientist, Nobel Prize winner
  • Travis Buck (born 1983) (Richland), Major League Baseball player for Houston Astros (OF)
  • Ted Bundy (1946–1989) (Tacoma/Seattle), serial killer
  • Billy Burke (born 1966) (Bellingham), actor, Charlie Swan in The Twilight Saga
  • Nate Burleson (born 1981) (Renton), wide receiver for NFL's Detroit Lions
  • Jeff Burlingame (born 1971) (Aberdeen), author, winner of NAACP Image Award and Sigma Delta Chi Award
  • George Washington Bush (1779–1863) (Tumwater), pioneer
  • Raegan Butcher (Snohomish), poet
  • Octavia E. Butler (1947–2006) (Lake Forest Park), science-fiction writer
  • Sarah Butler (born 1985) (Puyallup), actress

C[]

Kurt Cobain
Colin Cowherd
  • Tom Cable (born 1964) (Snohomish), assistant coach, Seattle Seahawks
  • Dove Cameron (born 1996) (Seattle), actress
  • Dyan Cannon (born 1937) (Tacoma), actress
  • Jerry Cantrell (born 1966) (Tacoma), guitarist for Alice in Chains
  • Maria Cantwell (born 1958) (Edmonds), United States Senator, former VP of RealNetworks
  • Bryan Caraway (born 1984) (Yakima), mixed martial artist
  • Orson Scott Card (born 1951) (Richland), author and professor at Southern Virginia University
  • Harvey Carignan (born 1927), serial killer
  • Brandi Carlile (born 1981) (Ravensdale), musician
  • Chester Carlson (1906–1968) (Seattle), inventor of xerography
  • JoAnne Carner (born 1939) (Kirkland), Hall of Fame golfer
  • Raymond Carver (1938–1988) (Port Angeles), author
  • Neko Case (born 1970) (Tacoma), chanteuse
  • Pat Cashman (Seattle), actor and radio personality
  • James Caviezel (born 1968) (Mount Vernon), actor
  • Ron Cey (born 1948) (Tacoma), All-Star Major League Baseball player
  • Drew Chadwick (born 1992) (Sequim), appeared on The X Factor USA with trio Emblem3
  • Edward Chamberlin (1899–1967) (La Conner), economist
  • Carol Channing (1921–2019) (Seattle), actress
  • Valentina Chepiga (born 1962) (Seattle), IFBB professional bodybuilder
  • Dale Chihuly (born 1941) (Tacoma), glass artist
  • Chin Gee Hee (1844–1929) (Seattle), Chinese immigrant, made fortune in Seattle, returned to China as railway entrepreneur
  • Louis Chirillo (born 1961) (Seattle), voice actor
  • Jori Chisholm (born 1975) (Seattle), champion bagpiper
  • Erika Christensen (born 1982) (Seattle), actress
  • Adam Cimber (born 1990) (Puyallup), pitcher for the Cleveland Indians
  • Michael Clarke (1946–1993) (Spokane), drummer for The Byrds
  • Beverly Cleary (1916–2021) (Yakima), author
  • Chuck Close (born 1940) (Monroe), artist
  • Kurt Cobain (1967–1994) (Aberdeen), Nirvana vocalist and guitarist
  • Erik Coleman (born 1982) (Spokane), football player for Atlanta Falcons
  • Nancy Coleman (1912–2000) (Everett), actress
  • Judy Collins (born 1939) (Seattle), folk singer
  • Hank Conger (born 1988) (Federal Way), catcher for Houston Astros
  • Jeff Conine (born 1966) (Tacoma), former All-Star Major League Baseball player
  • John Considine (1868–1943) (Seattle), impresario; founded one of first vaudeville circuits
  • Chris Cornell (1964–2017) (Seattle), vocalist for Soundgarden and Audioslave
  • Fred Couples (born 1959) (Seattle), professional golfer
  • Randy Couture (born 1963) (Everett), mixed martial artist, Greco-Roman wrestler, actor
  • Colin Cowherd (born 1962) (Bay Center), sports media personality
  • Ian Crawford (born 1988) (Auburn), affiliated with bands Panic! at the Disco and The Cab
  • Jamal Crawford (born 1980) (Seattle), NBA player for Los Angeles Clippers
  • Bing Crosby (1903–1977) (Tacoma), singer and actor
  • Bob Crosby (1913–1993) (Spokane), singer and actor
  • Merce Cunningham (1919–2009) (Centralia), dancer and choreographer
  • Anthony Curcio a.k.a. D.B. Tuber (born 1980), armored car robber
  • Colin Curtis (born 1985) (Issaquah), left fielder for New York Yankees

D[]

  • Joel Dahmen (born 1987) (Clarkston), professional golfer
  • David DeCastro (born 1990) (Kirkland), guard for NFL's Pittsburgh Steelers
  • Arthur Denny (1822–1889), early pioneer who founded Seattle
  • Gail Devers (born 1966) (Seattle), athlete, Olympic gold medalist
  • Garret Dillahunt (born 1964) (Selah), actor
  • Corey Dillon (born 1974) (Federal Way), running back for NFL's New England Patriots
  • Westley Allan Dodd (1961–1993) (Toppenish), serial killer
  • Elinor Donahue (born 1937) (Tacoma), actress on Father Knows Best
  • James Doohan (1920–2005) (Redmond), actor, Scotty on Star Trek
  • Jon Dorenbos (born 1980) (Woodinville), long snapper for NFL's Philadelphia Eagles
  • Ryan Doumit (Moses Lake), outfielder for Minnesota Twins
  • Howard Duff (1913–1990) (Bremerton), actor
  • Jessie Duff (Burlington), competitive shooter
  • Bonnie Dunbar (born 1949) (Sunnyside), astronaut
  • Jeff Dye (Kent), stand-up comedian, socialite

E[]

  • Turk Edwards (1907–1973) (Douglas County), Hall of Fame offensive tackle and coach
  • John Ehrlichman (1925–1999) (Tacoma), counsel to President Richard Nixon
  • Ben Eisenhardt (born 1990), American-Israeli professional basketball player in the Israeli Basketball Premier League
  • Lisa Ellis (born 1982) (Woodinville), professional mixed martial artist
  • Harris Ellsworth (1899–1986) (Hoquiam), Oregon congressman
  • John Elway (born 1960) (Port Angeles), NFL quarterback, two-time Super Bowl winner, Denver Broncos executive
  • Justin Ena (born 1978) (Shelton), NFL linebacker for Philadelphia Eagles
  • Helga Estby (1860–1942) (Spokane), walked across U.S. in 1896

F[]

  • Anna Faris (born 1976) (Edmonds), actress, starred in Scary Movie series and Just Friends
  • Frances Farmer (1914–1970) (Seattle), actress
  • Joe Feddersen (born 1953) (Omak), sculptor, painter, photographer
  • Ray Flaherty (1903–1994) (Spokane), football player, coach, Hall of Famer
  • Tom Foley (1929–2013) (Spokane), Speaker of the United States House of Representatives (1989–1995)
  • Russ Francis (born 1953) (Seattle), tight end with New England Patriots and San Francisco 49ers
  • Bryan Fuller (born 1969) (Clarkston), writer, creator of Dead Like Me and Pushing Daisies
  • Stacy Marie Fuson (born 1978) (Tacoma), Playboy model, February 1999 Playmate of the Month

G[]

Bill Gates
  • Kenny G (born Kenneth Gorelick, 1956) (Seattle), musician
  • Abdul Gaddy (born 1992), basketball player in the Israeli Basketball Premier League
  • Tess Gallagher (born 1943) (Port Angeles), poet, essayist, writer
  • Nathan Gamble (born 1998) (Tacoma), child actor, The Dark Knight, Marley & Me, Hank
  • Myles Gaskin (born 1997) (Lynnwood), running back, Miami Dolphins
  • Bill Gates (born 1955) (Seattle), founder of Microsoft
  • Ben Gibbard (born 1976) (Bremerton), lead singer of Death Cab for Cutie and The Postal Service
  • Andy Gibson (born 1981) (Spokane), country music singer
  • Cam Gigandet (born 1982) (Tacoma), actor
  • Garrett Grayson (born 1991) (Vancouver), quarterback, New Orleans Saints
  • Vernon Greene (1908–1965) (Battle Ground), cartoonist
  • Kaye (Hall) Greff (born 1951) (Tacoma), competitive swimmer, two-time Olympic gold medalist[2]
  • David Guterson (born 1956) (Bainbridge Island), author

H[]

Megan Hilty
  • Richard Haag (1923–2018) (Seattle), landscape architect, only two-time recipient of ASLA President's Award for Design Excellence
  • Nick Hagadone (born 1986) (Sumner), pitcher for the Cleveland Indians
  • Ivar Haglund (1905–1985) (Seattle), folk singer, restaurateur
  • Matt Hague (born 1985) (Bellevue), first baseman, Toronto Blue Jays
  • Marcus Hahnemann (born 1972) (Kent), goalkeeper for Reading F.C.
  • Jason Hammel (born 1982) (Port Orchard), starting pitcher, Kansas City Royals
  • Thomas Hampson (born 1955) (Spokane), opera singer[3]
  • Jane Hamsher (born 1959) (Seattle), film producer, author, and left-wing blogger
  • Jason Hanson (born 1970) (Spokane), placekicker, Detroit Lions
  • Nick Harmer (born 1975) (Puyallup), bass guitarist for Death Cab for Cutie
  • Melissa Harris-Perry (born 1973) (Seattle), author, TV host, commentator
  • Spencer Hawes (born 1988) (Seattle), NBA player
  • Phil Heath (Seattle), IFBB Pro, 3X Mr. Olympia
  • Mel Hein (1909–1992) (Burlington), Hall of Fame player for New York Giants
  • Johnny Hekker (born 1990) (Redmond), punter, Los Angeles Rams
  • Mark Hendrickson (born 1974) (Mount Vernon), relief pitcher, Baltimore Orioles
  • Jimi Hendrix (1942–1970) (Seattle), guitarist
  • Rachelle Henry (born 2000) (Richland), actress
  • Frank Herbert (1920–1986) (Tacoma), author of Dune novels
  • Sue Herera (born 1957) (Spokane), CNBC reporter and anchor
  • Josh Heytvelt (born 1986) (Clarkston), professional basketball player
  • Steven Hill (1922–2016) (Seattle), actor, Mission Impossible and Law & Order
  • Megan Hilty (born 1981) (Bellevue), actress
  • Gordon Hirabayashi (1918–2012) (Auburn), sociologist
  • Amy Holmes (born 1973) (Seattle), news anchor, TheBlaze TV
  • Joe Ronnie Hooper (1938–1979), soldier, Medal of Honor recipient
  • John Hopcroft (born 1939) (Seattle), theoretical computer scientist
  • Peter Horton (born 1953) (Bellevue), actor and television director; starred in Thirtysomething
  • Ray Horton (born 1960) (Tacoma), NFL cornerback; defensive backs coach for the Pittsburgh Steelers
  • Roy Huggins (1914–2002) (Littell), creator of television series The Fugitive and The Rockford Files
  • Yolanda Hughes-Heying (born 1963) (Bellingham), IFBB professional bodybuilder
  • Fred Hutchinson (1919–1964) (Seattle), Major League Baseball player and manager of Cincinnati Reds

I[]

  • Travis Ishikawa (born 1983) (Seattle), first baseman for the San Francisco Giants
  • Burl Ives (1909–1995) (Anacortes), Academy Award-winning actor and folk singer

J[]

  • Henry M. Jackson (1912–1983) (Everett), U.S. Senator, presidential candidate
  • Jonathan Jackson (born 1982), actor
  • J. A. Jance (born 1944), author of mystery and horror novels
  • Noname Jane (born 1977) (Aberdeen), pornographic actress
  • Megan (Quann) Jendrick (born 1984) (Tacoma), competitive swimmer, two-time Olympic gold medalist, State of Washington Sports Hall of Fame inductee[4]
  • Keith Hunter Jesperson (born 1955) (Selah), serial killer
  • Sally Jewell (born 1956) (Renton), 51st U.S. Secretary of Interior
  • Robert Joffrey (1930–1988) (Seattle), choreographer
  • Denis Johnson (1949–2017), writer of Jesus' Son
  • Jason Johnson (born 1979), former Canadian Football League player
  • Matt Johnson (born 1989) (Olympia), safety, Dallas Cowboys
  • Russell Johnson (1924–2014) (Bainbridge Island), actor ("The Professor" on Gilligan's Island)
  • Chuck Jones (1912–2002) (Spokane), animator
  • Gary Lee Jones (born in Washington in 1946), member of Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education from Alexandria, Louisiana
  • Quincy Jones (born 1933) (Seattle), composer, conductor, musician

K[]

Mariana Klaveno
  • Kasey Kahne (born 1980) (Enumclaw), NASCAR driver
  • Bianca Kajlich (born 1977) (Seattle), actress, Jennifer on CBS sitcom Rules of Engagement
  • Richard Karn (born 1956) (Seattle), actor, Home Improvement, Family Feud
  • Chris Kattan (born 1970) (Bainbridge Island), actor and comedian, Saturday Night Live, The Middle
  • Carol Kaye (born 1935) (Everett), musician
  • Jermaine Kearse (born 1990) (Lakewood), wide receiver, Seattle Seahawks
  • John Keister (born 1956) (Seattle), comedian
  • Keone Kela (born 1993) (Seattle), relief pitcher for Texas Rangers
  • Senio Kelemete (born 1990) (Seattle), offensive guard, New Orleans Saints
  • Mick Kelleher (born 1947) (Seattle), MLB infielder and coach
  • Kasey Keller (born 1969) (Olympia), soccer goalkeeper for Seattle Sounders FC, formerly with Team USA
  • Kitty Kelley (born 1942) (Spokane), journalist and author of several best-selling unauthorized biographies
  • Donald M. Kendall (1921–2020) (Sequim), chief executive officer, PepsiCo (1971–1986)
  • Brian Kendrick (born 1979) (Olympia), WWE wrestler
  • Myles Kennedy (born 1969) Lead vocalist of Alter Bridge, From Spokane, Washington
  • Shiloh Keo (born 1987) (Bothell), safety for Denver Broncos
  • Hank Ketcham (1920–2001) (Seattle), cartoonist, creator of Dennis the Menace
  • Edward Kienholz (1927–1994) (Fairfield), artist
  • Sam Kinison (1953–1992) (Yakima), comedian
  • Dale Kinkade (1933–2004) (Hartline), linguist and professor
  • Justin Kirk (born 1969) (Union), actor, Weeds, Jack & Jill
  • Ed Kirkpatrick (1944–2010) (Spokane), Major League Baseball player
  • Jon Kitna (born 1972) (Tacoma), NFL quarterback
  • Kitsap, Suquamish leader
  • John Kitzhaber (born 1947) (Colfax), Oregon governor (1995–2003)
  • Mariana Klaveno (born 1979) (Endicott), actress, True Blood
  • Amanda Knox (born 1987) (Seattle), university student accused of murdering Meredith Kercher in Perugia, Italy
  • Michael Koenen (born 1982) (Ferndale), punter for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
  • Max Komar (born 1987) (Lakewood), wide receiver for Chicago Bears
  • Richard Kovacevich (born 1943) (Tacoma), chief executive officer, Wells Fargo
  • Cooper Kupp (born 1993) (Yakima), NFL wide receiver

L[]

Tim Lincecum
  • Jake Lamb (born 1990) (Seattle), third baseman for the Arizona Diamondbacks
  • Amber Lancaster (born 1980) (Tacoma), actress, model, The Hard Times of RJ Berger, The Price is Right
  • Craig Lancaster (born 1970) (Lakewood), sportswriter, novelist
  • Bertha Knight Landes (1868–1943), Seattle mayor, first female mayor of major U.S. city
  • Mark Lanegan (born 1964) (Ellensburg), singer-songwriter Erik Larsen (born 1962) (Bellingham), comic book writer, artist and publisher
  • Rick Larsen (born 1965) (Arlington), U.S. Representative
  • Gary Larson (born 1950) (Tacoma), cartoonist, creator of The Far Side
  • Richard Lathim (born 1955) (Tri-Cities [Pasco, Richland, Kennewick]), politician, sheriff of Franklin County
  • Brandon Lee (1965–1993), actor, son of Bruce Lee
  • Gypsy Rose Lee (1911–1970) (Seattle), entertainer, subject of musical Gypsy
  • Cassidy Lehrman (born 1992) (Seattle), actress, Sarah Gold on Entourage
  • Leschi (1808–1858), Nisqually chief
  • Jon Lester (born 1984) (Tacoma), starting pitcher for Chicago Cubs
  • Blake Lewis (born 1981) (Redmond), singer and beatboxer, American Idol runner-up
  • Rommie Lewis (born 1982) (Seattle), relief pitcher, Toronto Blue Jays
  • Ryan Lewis (born 1988) (Spokane), producer, musician, video director
  • Brent Lillibridge (born 1983) (Everett), utility player for New York Yankees
  • Tim Lincecum (born 1984) (Bellevue), MLB pitcher, 2008 National League Cy Young winner
  • Mary Livingstone (1905–1983) (Seattle), comedian, wife of Jack Benny
  • Gary Locke (born 1950) (Seattle), Governor of Washington; U.S. Secretary of Commerce; U.S. Ambassador to China
  • Jake Locker (born 1988) (Ferndale), quarterback for Tennessee Titans
  • Kenny Loggins (born 1948) (Everett), singer-songwriter
  • Travis Long (born 1991) (Spokane), outside linebacker for Philadelphia Eagles
  • Sam Longoria (born 1956) (Seattle), producer, visual effects engineer
  • Dane Looker (born 1976) (Puyallup), wide receiver, St. Louis Rams

M[]

Macklemore
Patty Murray
  • Betty MacDonald (1908–1958), children's author
  • Macklemore (Seattle) (born Ben Haggerty, 1983), Northwest hip-hop singer
  • Kyle MacLachlan (Yakima) (born 1959), actor, Desperate Housewives, Twin Peaks, Sex and the City
  • Warren Magnuson (1905–1989), six-term US Senator and Dean of the United States Senate (1979–1981)
  • Sanjaya Malakar (born 1989) (Federal Way), singer, American Idol finalist
  • Blu Mankuma (Seattle), actor; Capt. Joe Reese on Forever Knight
  • Mary Mapes (Burlington), former 60 Minutes producer fired for 2004 Killian documents scandal
  • Charlie Marinkovich (born 1959) (Seattle), singer-songwriter, guitarist for Iron Butterfly
  • Bristol Marunde (born 1982) (Sequim), mixed martial artist
  • Dave Matthews (born 1967) (resides in Seattle), singer-songwriter
  • James Mattis (born 1950) (Pullman), U.S. Secretary of Defense
  • Trevor May (born 1989) (Kelso), relief pitcher, Minnesota Twins
  • Doc Maynard (1808–1873), founding father of Seattle
  • Taylor Mays (born 1988), NFL football player
  • Kevin McCarthy (1914–2010) (Seattle), actor
  • Mary McCarthy (1912–1989) (Seattle), author
  • Mike McCready (born 1966) (Seattle), Pearl Jam guitarist
  • Bear McCreary (born 1979), composer for film, television, video games
  • Darren McGavin (1922–2006) (Spokane), actor, A Christmas Story, Kolchak, The Natural
  • Rose McGowan (born 1973), actress, Paige Matthews on Charmed; attended high school in Seattle
  • Joel McHale (born 1971), actor, comedian; attended high school in Seattle
  • John McIntire (1907–1991) (Spokane), actor, Wagon Train
  • Duff McKagan (born 1964) (Seattle), Velvet Revolver, Guns N' Roses bassist
  • Bonnie McKee (born 1985) (raised in Seattle), singer-songwriter
  • Patricia McPherson (born 1954), actress, Knight Rider
  • Santiago Villalba Mederos (born 1991), murderer and former FBI most wanted fugitive
  • Jack Medica (1914–1985) (Seattle), competitive swimmer, Olympic gold medalist, nine-time NCAA champion[5][6]
  • Marjie Millar (1931–1966) (Tacoma), actress, About Mrs. Leslie, Money from Home
  • Angie Miller (born 1994), singer, American Idol runner-up
  • Roy Miller (born 1987) (Fort Lewis), defensive tackle for Jacksonville Jaguars
  • Martin Milner (1931–2015) (Seattle), actor, Adam-12, Route 66, The Swiss Family Robinson
  • Gary Miranda (born 1939), poet
  • Beau Mirchoff (born 1989), actor, MTV's Awkward
  • Patrick Monahan (born 1969), lead singer for band Train
  • Jeff Monson, mixed martial artist, UFC fighter
  • Jeffrey Dean Morgan (born 1966) (Seattle), actor, Watchmen, Grey's Anatomy, Magic City
  • Mark Morris (born 1956) (Seattle), dancer and choreographer
  • Adam Morrison (born 1984) (raised in Spokane), professional basketball player
  • Robert Motherwell (1915–1991) (Aberdeen), abstract expressionist painter
  • Dejounte Murray (born 1996) (Seattle), professional basketball player
  • Patty Murray (born 1950) (Bothell), U.S. Senator
  • Edward R. Murrow (1908–1965) CBS News correspondent; attended high school in Edison and Washington State University
  • PZ Myers (born 1957) (Kent), scientist, professor University of Minnesota Morris
  • Randy Myers (born 1962) (Vancouver), MLB four-time All-Star relief pitcher
  • Ross Mathews (born 1979) (Mount Vernon) Television personality

N[]

  • Craig T. Nelson (born 1944) (Spokane), actor, The Incredibles, Coach, Parenthood
  • Billy North (born 1948) (Seattle), former Major League Baseball player
  • Krist Novoselic (born 1965), Nirvana bassist
  • Bill Nye (born 1955), Bill Nye the Science Guy

O[]

  • Pat O'Day (1934–2020), KJR radio disc jockey, considered godfather of Seattle rock music scene
  • Eric O'Flaherty (born 1985) (Walla Walla), pitcher, Oakland Athletics
  • Apolo Anton Ohno (born 1982) (Seattle), Olympic speed skater[7]
  • Danny O'Keefe (born 1943) (Spokane), musician[8]
  • John Olerud (born 1968) (Seattle), Major League Baseball first baseman
  • Deanna Oliver (born 1952) (Spokane), actress, Toaster from The Brave Little Toaster and its sequels
  • Gregg Olsen (born 1959) (Seattle), true crime author
  • Tyler Olson (born 1989) (Spokane), Major League Baseball pitcher
  • Robert Osborne (1932–2017) (Colfax), film historian, TV personality
  • Lyle Overbay (born 1977) (Centralia), MLB first baseman
  • Logan Owen (born 1995) (Bremerton), professional cyclist, Cannondale–Drapac
  • Seena Owen (1894–1966) (Spokane), actress, Queen Kelly, Victory

P[]

Chris Pratt
  • Janis Paige (born 1922) (Tacoma), actress
  • Chuck Palahniuk (born 1962) (Pasco), novelist and freelance journalist
  • Jaebeom Park (born 1987), member of Korean music group 2PM
  • J. P. Patches (born Chris Wedes; 1928–2013), clown; hosted one of the longest-running locally produced children's program in U.S. history
  • Robin Pecknold (born 1986), musician
  • Janice Pennington (born 1942), model, The Price is Right
  • Jay Pickett (1961–2021) (Spokane), actor, Port Charles, General Hospital
  • Mark Pigott (born 1954), chairman and chief executive officer, Paccar
  • Chris Pratt (born 1979) (raised in Lake Stevens), actor, Everwood, Parks and Recreation
  • Megyn Price (born 1971) (Seattle), actress
  • Cory Procter (born 1982) (Gig Harbor), guard for Miami Dolphins
  • Dorothy Provine (born 1935 in Deadwood, South Dakota, died in Bremerton, Washington, 2010), singer, actress, attended University of Washington
  • Henry Prusoff (1912–1943) (Seattle), tennis player; # 8 in singles in the U.S. in 1940

R[]

Nate Robinson
Mark Rypien
  • Benji Radach (born 1979) (Castle Rock), professional mixed martial artist
  • Ella Raines (1920–1988) (Snoqualmie Falls), actress
  • Ford Rainey (Centralia), actor
  • Blair Rasmussen (born 1962) (Auburn), basketball player, Denver Nuggets
  • John Ratzenberger (born 1947), Cliff Clavin on Cheers[citation needed]
  • Pamela Reed (born 1949) (Tacoma), actress
  • Dave Reichert (born 1950) (raised in Kent), Congressman, law enforcement officer
  • Ann Reinking (1949–2020) (Seattle), actress, dancer, choreographer
  • Jason Repko (born 1980) (Richland), outfielder for Minnesota Twins
  • John Requa (born 1967) (raised in Burien), screenwriter, Cats & Dogs and Bad Santa
  • Roger Revelle (1909–1991) (Seattle), scientist, pioneer of global warming studies
  • Don Rich (1941–1974) (Olympia), guitarist, singer with Buck Owens
  • Davey Richards (born 1983), professional wrestler
  • Gary Ridgway (born 1949), serial killer
  • Luke Ridnour (born 1982), point guard for Minnesota Timberwolves; attended high school in Blaine
  • Theodore Rinaldo (Snohomish) (1944–2000), convicted child sex offender
  • James Robart (born 1947) (Seattle), federal judge
  • Tom Robbins (born 1932), best-selling novelist, worked for The Seattle Times
  • Howard P. Robertson (1903–1961) (Hoquiam), cosmologist
  • Laurent Robinson (born 1985) (Fort Lewis), wide receiver for Dallas Cowboys
  • Nate Robinson (born 1984) (Seattle), guard for Golden State Warriors
  • Jimmie Rodgers (1933–2021) (Camas), pop singer
  • Jarred Rome (Marysville), Olympic discus thrower, bodybuilder
  • Emily Rose (born 1981), actress, ER, Brothers & Sisters, John from Cincinnati
  • Brandon Roy (born 1984) (Seattle), shooting guard for Portland Trail Blazers
  • Kathryn Ruemmler (born 1971) (Richland), White House Counsel to President Barack Obama
  • Ann Rule (1931–2015), true-crime author; attended University of Washington; worked with the Seattle Police Department
  • Merrilee Rush (born Merrilee Gunst, 1944) (Seattle), singer, "Angel of the Morning"
  • Gerri Russell (born 1962), romantic fiction author
  • Rick Rydell (born 1963) (Seattle), radio talk show host, author, outdoors writer
  • Mark Rypien (born 1962) (raised in Spokane), quarterback for Washington Redskins, MVP of Super Bowl XXVI, philanthropist

S[]

Ryne Sandberg
Hope Solo
Sa–Sm
  • Ryne Sandberg (born 1959) (Spokane), MLB player and manager, member of Baseball Hall of Fame
  • Larry Sanger (born 1968), Wikipedia co-founder
  • Ron Santo (1940–2010) (Seattle), third baseman and radio broadcaster for Chicago Cubs; member of Baseball Hall of Fame
  • Robert (Bob) Satiacum (1929–1991), Puyallup tribal leader, American Indian activist
  • Dan Savage (born 1964), writer of advice column Savage Love and editor of Seattle weekly The Stranger
  • Brian Scalabrine (born 1978) (raised in Enumclaw), professional basketball player
  • Ivyann Schwan (born 1983), child actress, Parenthood, Problem Child 2
  • Dick Scobee (1939–1986), astronaut, commander of Space Shuttle Challenger
  • Seattle (c. 1786–1866), Duwamish/Suquamish leader and diplomat
  • Daniel Seavey (born 1999) (Vancouver), singer-songwriter, contestant American Idol season 14
  • Kyle Secor (born 1957) (Tacoma), actor
  • Derek Sheen, stand-up comedian
  • Danny Shelton (born 1993) (Auburn), defensive tackle for New England Patriots
  • Robert Shields (1918–2007) (Dayton), minister and teacher who wrote a 37.5-million-word diary, possibly the longest ever written[9]
  • Roger Shimomura (born 1939) (Seattle), artist, professor at University of Kansas
  • Tre Simmons (born 1982) (Seattle), professional basketball player
  • Sir Mix-a-Lot (born Anthony Ray, 1963), hip-hop artist
  • Doug Sisk (born 1957) (Renton), MLB pitcher
  • Grady Sizemore (born 1982) (Seattle), MLB player, three-time All-Star, Silver Slugger award winner
  • Tom Skerritt (born 1933), actor; lives in Lake Washington
  • Alex Smith (born 1984) (Seattle), quarterback for Kansas City Chiefs
  • Jeff Smith (1939–2004) (Seattle), food expert, television personality
  • Shawn Smith (1956-2019), rock musician
  • Smohalla (c. 1851–1895), Sahaptin spiritual leader
Sn–Sz
  • Blake Snell (born 1992) (Seattle), starting pitcher for the Tampa Bay Rays
  • Tom Sneva (born 1948) (Spokane), 1983 Indy 500 champion, 2-time USAC champion
  • Travis Snider (born 1988) (Everett), MLB outfielder
  • Quin Snyder (born 1966) (Mercer Island), head coach of NBA's Utah Jazz
  • Hope Solo (born 1981) (Richland), goalkeeper for United States women's national soccer team
  • Steven Souza (born 1989) (Everett), outfielder for Arizona Diamondbacks
  • Jack Owen Spillman (Spokane) (born 1960), serial killer, "Werewolf Butcher"
  • Layne Staley (1967–2002), vocalist for Alice in Chains
  • Isaiah Stanback (Seattle) (born 1984), wide receiver on New York Giants
  • Lyn Stanley, born in Tacoma, jazz singer since 2013
  • Rick Steves (born 1955) (Edmonds), authority on European travel
  • Jonathan Stewart (born 1987) (Fort Lewis), running back for New York Giants
  • Ryan Stiles (born 1959) (Seattle), actor, comedian, The Drew Carey Show, Whose Line Is It Anyway?, Two and a Half Men
  • Robert Stock (born 1989), MLB baseball player
  • John Stockton (born 1962) (Spokane), Hall of Fame player for NBA's Utah Jazz
  • Mel Stottlemyre (1941–2019), pitcher and coach for New York Yankees; lives in Issaquah
  • Keaton Stromberg (born July 16, 1996) (Sequim), appeared on The X Factor USA with trio Emblem3
  • Wesley Stromberg (born December 6, 1994) (Sequim), appeared on The X Factor USA with trio Emblem3
  • Robert Stroud (1890–1963) (Seattle), convict, "Birdman of Alcatraz"
  • Rodney Stuckey (born 1986), NBA player
  • Michael Swango (born 1954), physician, serial killer
  • Julia Sweeney (born 1959) (Spokane), actress, comedian, Saturday Night Live
  • Gloria Wilson Swisher (born 1935) (Seattle), composer and educator

T[]

  • Miesha Tate (born 1986) (Tacoma), UFC mixed martial artist
  • Chrissy Teigen (born 1985) (Snohomish), Sports Illustrated model[10]
  • Daniel Te'o-Nesheim (born 1987), NFL defensive end; lived in Mill Creek
  • Jason Terry (born 1977) (Seattle), NBA player for Milwaukee Bucks
  • Kim Thayil (born 1960), guitarist for grunge band Soundgarden
  • Isaiah Thomas (born 1989) (Tacoma), point guard for Los Angeles Lakers
  • Brian Thompson (born 1959) (Ellensburg), actor'
  • Cappy Thompson (born 1952), glass artist
  • Nick Thune (born 1979) (Seattle), actor, comedian, and musician
  • Earl Torgeson (1924–1990) (Snohomish), Major League Baseball player
  • Rachel Trachtenburg (born 1993), drummer, singer of Trachtenburg Family Slideshow Players
  • Desmond Trufant (born 1990), NFL cornerback for Atlanta Falcons
  • George Tsutakawa (1910–1997) (Seattle), sculptor and painter
  • Ann Tyrrell (1909–1983) (Whatcom County), actress, Private Secretary and The Ann Sothern Show

U[]

  • Blair Underwood (born 1964) (Tacoma), actor, L.A. Law, The New Adventures of Old Christine, Ironside
  • Misty Upham (born 1982) (Auburn), actress
  • Brian Urlacher (born 1978) (born in Pasco, but raised in New Mexico), linebacker for the Chicago Bears

V[]

  • Greg "The Hammer" Valentine (born 1951) (Seattle), professional wrestler
  • Courtney Vandersloot (born 1989) (Kent), player with WNBA's Chicago Sky
  • Eddie Vedder (born 1964), vocalist for Pearl Jam; lived in Seattle
  • Austin Voth (born 1992) (Redmond), relief pitcher for the Washington Nationals

W[]

Rainn Wilson
  • Chris Walla (born 1975) (Bothell), guitarist for Death Cab for Cutie
  • Jessica Wallenfels, actress, choreographer, and movement/theatre director
  • Maiara Walsh (born 1988), actress, singer, Ana Solis on Desperate Housewives and Meena Paroom on Cory in the House
  • Bryan Walters (born 1987), wide receiver for San Diego Chargers
  • Jennifer Warnes (born 1947) (Seattle), singer
  • Martell Webster (born 1986), NBA player, Minnesota Timberwolves
  • Zoe Weizenbaum (born 1991) (Seattle), actor
  • Adam West (1928–2017) (Seattle), actor; played Batman on TV series (1966–1968)
  • Myles White (born 1990) (Tacoma), wide receiver for New York Giants
  • Sammy White (1928–1991) (Wenatchee), Major League Baseball player
  • Sean White (born 1981) (Pullman), relief pitcher for Boston Red Sox
  • Bernie Whitebear (born Bernard Reyes; 1937–2000), American Indian activist
  • Christopher Wiehl (born 1970) (Yakima), actor
  • Lis Wiehl (born 1961), legal analyst for Fox News; author
  • Michael Winslow (Spokane) (born 1958), actor and comedian; Cadet Jones in Police Academy films
  • Marcus Williams (born 1986) (Seattle), NBA player
  • Marvin Williams (born 1986) (Bremerton), NBA player for Charlotte Hornets
  • Terrence Williams (born 1987) (Seattle), NBA player for Houston Rockets
  • Ann (born 1950) and Nancy Wilson (born 1954), members of Heart; lived in Bellevue
  • Rainn Wilson (born 1968) (Seattle), actor, The Office

Y[]

  • Takuji Yamashita (1874–1952), early 20th-century civil-rights pioneer
  • Robert Lee Yates (born 1952) (Spokane), serial killer
  • DeAndre Yedlin (born 1993), soccer player
  • Henry Yesler (Seattle), entrepreneur; considered to be one of Seattle's founding fathers
  • Katrina Young (born 1992) (Shoreline), two time Olympic platform diver[11]

Z[]

  • Constance Zimmer (born 1970) (Seattle), actress, Entourage, Boston Legal, House of Cards

See also[]

By educational institution affiliation
  • List of Cornish College of the Arts people
  • List of The Evergreen State College people
  • List of University of Washington people
By governmental office
By location

References[]

  1. ^ "Nathan Adrian - Bio". SwimSwam. Retrieved July 22, 2021.
  2. ^ Raley, Dan (May 13, 2008). "Where Are They Now? Olympic win ended in tears of relief". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Retrieved July 22, 2021.
  3. ^ [1]
  4. ^ Keith, Braden (June 19, 2019). "Megan Jendrick Inducted into State of Washington Sports Hall of Fame". SwimSwam. Retrieved July 22, 2021.
  5. ^ "Jack C. Medica: 1914 - 1985". University of Pennsylvania. Retrieved July 22, 2021.
  6. ^ Pieroth, Doris H. (1995). "Toast of the Town in the Thirties: Seattle's Washington Athletic Club and Its Champion Swimmers". The Pacific Northwest Quarterly, 87(1): 16-28. Retrieved July 22, 2021.
  7. ^ https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/winter-olympics-2018/2018/01/27/apolo-ohno-winter-olympics/1071773001/
  8. ^ Danny O'Keefe AllMusic Biography
  9. ^ https://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/29/us/29shields.html
  10. ^ Valby, Karen (October 28, 2019). "John Legend and Chrissy Teigen on Love, Childhood Traumas, and the "Sh--ty Human Being" in the White House". Vanity Fair. Retrieved July 22, 2021.
  11. ^ "Shorecrest grad makes Olympic diving team and is headed for Tokyo". Shoreline Area News. June 14, 2021. Retrieved July 22, 2021.
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